Mangrove Ecosystem Values in Day-asan, Surigao City | InformativeBD

Jerry B. Acero and Dovelyn C. Resullar from the different institute of the Philippines wrote a research article about Mangrove Ecosystem Values in Day-asan, Surigao City, entitled "Indirect-use and option values of mangrove forest ecosystem in Day-asan, Surigao City, Philippines" This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences (IJB) an open access scholarly research journal on Biology under the affiliation of the International Network for Natural  Sciences| INNSpub an open access multidiciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Mangrove is a wetland type of forest referred also as the tidally influenced swamp ecosystem within intertidal zone of tropical and subtropical latitudes (Tomlinson, 1986). This forest provides numerous direct and indirect benefits to people and environment. However, most of the benefits appreciated are focused on direct-use or marketed benefits making mangrove forests as undervalued resources today. This study aimed to asses the Indirect-use and Option Values of mangroves in Barangay Day-asan, Surigao City as components of forest economic valuation. The Replacement Cost and Contingent Valuation Methods were used in value determination. Survey showed that as to socio-demographic profile of the participants, there is a total of 451 households in Barangay Day-asan. Most of the participants were female (68.89%), married (34.07%) and attained secondary level of education (42.22%). Fishing is the very source of income among the local residents. The total Indirect-use value of mangrove forest of the study area is approximated at Php6239.15/hectare/per year valuated by means of Coastal Protection and Carbon Sequestration Values. The study revealed that mangrove forests in this coastal community provide considerable economic and environmental benefits, particularly as a source of family income, provision of quality air to breath and in protecting local communities from disasters associated with the climate change. Most of the residents agree to take part in mangrove conservation programs and initiatives with an average Willingness To Pay of Php594,115.20 per year as conservation funds for the sustainable management of the mangrove resources in their community.

Introduction

The mangrove forest is a very important ecosystem that provides a variety of ecological and economic benefits. What composed of this marine tidal forest are trees, shrubs, palms, epiphytes and ferns (Tomlinson, 1986). Its existence as an ecosystem also offers coastlines protection and saves lives and property during natural hazards such as tsunamis, cyclones, storm surges and erosion. Mangroves provide also economic activities to the people aside from serving as the breeding, feeding and nursery grounds for many estuarine and marine organisms (Nagelkerken et al, 2008). Naturally, this type of vegetation is utilized for captive and culture of many fisheries products. The ecosystem also contains large deposits of some unexplored potentials for natural products that are essential for medicinal benefits, for salt production, apiculture, fuel and fodder, among others (Khairnar et al, 2019). In fact, many people in the Philippines generate income from mangrove resources. More than half of the Philippine’s 1,500 municipalities and 42,000 barangays are dependent on these marine habitats for food and other goods and services (Primavera, 2000).

Mangrove provides a multiple use and wide variety ecosystem services and benefits. It is a significant vegetation that serves as coastal bio-shield since it plays a critical role in reducing the impacts of cyclonic storms, hurricanes and tsunami on human lives and properties (Danielsen et al., 2005; Selvam, 2005). There are various ways that the regulating services of mangroves can mitigate the effects of climate change, particularly in serving as buffers against storms and flooding. Sea waves are attenuated by mangroves vegetation thereby reducing wave forces by an estimated 70-90% on the average (Macintosh, 2010). Undeniably, mangroves provide a wide range of vital ecosystem services, which have an equally wide range of value. Economists generally decompose the total economic value of ecosystems into direct-use, indirect-use and non-use values. Direct-use values refer to consumptive and non-consumptive uses that entail direct physical interaction with the mangroves and their services such as outputs of fish, fuel wood, recreation, and transport. Indirect-use values include regulatory ecological functions, which lead to indirect benefits such as flood control, storm protection, nutrient retention, nursery grounds for different species, and erosion control. Non-use values include existence and bequest values of mangroves (Bann, 1988). In Kosrae, Micronesia, an economic valuation study shows that mangroves on the island are worth between $666 thousand and $1 million per year (1996 prices) based on the net value of marketable products alone. Interestingly, the local people are willing to pay money which ranges from $1 million to $1.26 million per year just to protect and use mangrove swamps indefinitely (Naylor et al, 1998). Due to the many tangible and intangible benefits derived from mangroves, this ecosystem has been facing a lot of pressures and exploitation. In the Philippines, aaquaculture development, conversion of mangrove areas to ponds for production of shrimp, fish, and other aquatic resources, is a leading cause of mangrove loss (Garcia, K. B. et al., 1988). For instance, between 1968 and 1983, 237,000 ha of mangroves were lost for pond construction, almost half of the total national mangrove area (Fernandez, 1978) at that time. Jayagoda (2016) claimed that mangroves have degraded continuously and about 25% of the original mangrove areas have been converted into fishponds, with an average rate of 5,000 hectares per year in the 1970’s and early l980’s.

Similarly, Agaloos (1994) and Primavera (2000) estimated that around half of the 279,000 hectares of mangroves lost from 1951 to 1988 were developed into culture ponds. Aside from depleting the mangroves, aquaculture also pollutes the mangrove ecosystem with effluents that affect the services that a healthy mangrove ecosystem serves. Pollution and problems are often left behind when the operation of aquaculture ceased (De la Torre and Barnhizer, 2003). Sadly, once the operation is halted, aquaculture operators shift to new locations containing a healthy mangrove ecosystem and thereby do the same cycle of resources depletion (Ellison, 2008). If this trend continues, mangrove areas in the country will be in serious threat. Although greater conservation and rehabilitation efforts have been in placed (Samson and Rollon, 2008), still it is expected that the mangrove ecosystem in the country will continue to face degradation.

Notwithstanding the various benefits from mangroves, this type of ecosystem remains undervalued (Beitl et al, 2019; Salem and Mercer, 2012). There is a need to disseminate widely the salient role that mangroves play ecologically and economically particularly in the grassroots, policy makers and among key leaders in the community through highlighting the scientific studies on valuation of mangrove resources purposely to enhance awareness (Song et al, 2021; Khan et al, 2020) and elicit holistic conceptualization and implementation of coastal programs for the conservation of mangrove resources where local wisdom are purposely integrated (Hakim et al, 2017). Hence, this study was conducted with the primary view of assessing the Indirect-Use and Option Values of the mangrove forest in Barangay Day-asan, Surigao City, Philippines. The research output could contribute to the existing knowledge on ecosystem valuation, particularly on the ecosystem services provided by mangroves to people and communities. The information and result could serve also as a guide in assessing public support for conservation of the mangrove forest and as a supportive argument for the invaluable roles the mangrove forest play in maintaining biodiversity and environmental quality (Saka et al, 2015). 

Source: Indirect-use and option values of mangrove forest ecosystem in Day-asan, Surigao City, Philippines